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Press Archives:
March 2010
Suffering at the Hands of the State
"Unfit for human habitation," "appalling conditions," "dilapidated, desolate and depressing" - just some words used to describe the current condition of Ireland's mental health facilities.
In response to Minister Moloney's aspiration to close the remaining 14 Victorian-era mental health care institutions Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West expressed strong doubts that "his idle aspiration will become a reality within the lifetime of those currently resident in the 14 outdated, inappropriate and degrading psychiatric institutions."
"Mr. Moloney's failure to act after admitting that he could not stand by numerous mental health care institutions whilst allowing patients to remain in squalor is indicative of the government's total disregard for the suffering of psychiatric patients."
One in four people will be affected by mental illness during their life[1] - in Ireland that amounts to over 1 million people. Yet the 2010 Irish budget allowed just 5% of the planned expenditure for the implementation of "A vision for change." Concerns become compounded when published reports,[2] indicating that only 47% of the funding allocated to the HSE for "A vision for Change" was used for its intended purpose, are taken into account. Rather unsurprisingly the College of Psychiatry of Ireland has described the implementation of the government program as "slow, uneven and insufficient."
"A Vision for change is not as ambitious a programme as our Government often claims - by identifying adequate staffing as one of the primary goals of the report this illustrates the shortcomings in the current mental health system which merely strives for adequacy."
The Irish Psychiatric Association[3] highlighted nationwide government failure to ring-fence and reinvest money from the sale of the mental health care's assets, despite government agreement since 1960 that this practice should be implemented. "I was particularly interested to read of the sale of the 40 acre Clare Mental Health Service for €2.6m. in 1998 and the subsequent re-sale of 8 acres of the original site by a developer for between €6-7m in 2002, this displays a maddening lack of foresight on our government's behalf
[1] WHO report "Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope"
[2] Reports published by the "A vision for Change" Independent monitoring group in May of 2007, 2008 & 2009.
[3] Report " Lie of the Land"
Contact: Jim Higgins + 353 87 28 55 838
or Aoife Kearney Tel: +32.2.28.47.8.43.
04/03/2010
Right to supply legal highs coming to a head
Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West speaking from his Mayo constituency office outlined his concerns over the growing prevalence of head shops in the North West.
For over a decade head shops have operated in Irish society. However, our law continuous to lag behind the savvy of head shop owners - who exploit existing and discover new loopholes in the law, which allow for the legal sale of psychoactive substances.
"Head shops are largely unregulated; any regulations which exist were implemented in a reactive and slow manner providing little protection to potential consumers. Much like, the two year delay in outlawing the use of magic mushrooms - which allowed an extremely dangerous substance to be used by a further 180,000 Irish people."
"Higgins outlined that at present approximately one head shop opens in Ireland each week - at a very minimum there needs to be a limit or licensing system to regulate the number, location and opening hours of such establishments."
"While I welcome the publication of the draft labour bill dealing with the planning element associated with such shops the most effective solution is for the Gardai to seek warrants in order to possess the substances being sold and to have them scientifically examined as to their contents and effects."
The legitimacy of head shops and the lack of an effective education program highlighting the dangers of psychoactive substances exposes consumers to products whose side effects are unknown, but have proved themselves to be just as harmful as many hardcore illegal drugs." Higgins fervently added.
A report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction[1] outlines the growing phenomena whereby products are intentionally mislabelled and marketed aggressively.
"There is a real lack of awareness of just how unregulated and dangerous these readily available substances are - they are not subject to any regulations, medical regulations are avoided as the mixture of chemicals are unidentified and substances labelled unfit for human consumption evade food safety regulations."
"We need a government who will act, not a talking shop."
ENDS
Contact:
Jim Higgins + 353 87 28 55838
or Aoife Kearney +32 2 28 37843
26/02/2010
Drugged up and dumbed down
Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for the Ireland North West spoke out today on behalf of, what he termed "an extremely vulnerable sector of society" - namely elderly people living with dementia.
Research has shown that in Ireland elderly patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia are frequently incorrectly prescribed anti-psychotic and other psychotropic agents.[1] Strictly speaking this type of medication should only be used to treat suffers of schizophrenia but in residential care homes and hospitals they are increasingly used to treat suffers from dementia. A study carried out in 2009 in the United Kingdom showed that 150,000 people were prescribed these medicines unnecessarily. Furthermore as elderly patients with dementia are more sensitive to the adverse effects of medications, the over prescription of such drugs caused an estimated 1,800 death a year in the UK alone.
Worryingly, no such research has been carried out in Ireland. However, given that Ireland and the UK share many demographic similarities it is very likely that Ireland faces the same problem.
"As 64% of people in care homes suffer from dementia this is a huge issue that effects not only the patients but their families and care givers. The government need to take immediate action to curb this shocking statistic," Jim Higgins adamantly asserted.
Dr Steve Fielding, Royal College of General Practioners in the UK and a wide stream of dementia experts advocate a more therapeutic approach to dementia care. This method relies on working through the patients memories with them and organising exercises and activities centred around the memory that they are reliving. By using this method health care workers have noted that patients who were formerly prone violent and aggressive behaviour are less frustrated, happier and did not need any form of medication - some UK care homes reported using 80% less medication by employing this care method.
With what appears a miracle solution one would have imagined that this practice would be widespread. However without sufficient support and training for staff a more effective but time consuming practice, such as this, is not viable.
"I am extremely aware of the hard work of carers, nurses and doctors throughout Ireland caring for suffers of dementia. The Government need to step up and adequately support it's health care employees."
As it stands, the lack of regulation in this area fails to encourage a patient centred approach and instead works almost to incentivise the faster, cheaper use of sedation rather than identifying an individual care needs. "It is an utter disgrace that the government has failed to properly regulate this area and protect the 38,000 people plus living with dementia in Ireland," Concluded Jim Higgins.
[1] Meaney Anna Maria and Colm Cooney. 'An audit of psychotropic prescribing practice of general adult psychiatrists in elderly demented patients' MedMedia: Dun Laoghaire, Ireland: 1988.
ENDS
Contact: Jim Higgins + 353 87 28 55 838
or Aoife Kearney Tel: +32.2.28.47.8.43.
02/03/2010
The North West Irish coastline - a drug trafficker's paradise.
Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West who spoke in Strasbourg to once again call for the installation of an illicit drugs detection unit in the North West in order to increase coastal surveillance.
"I understand that there is a working protocol between the Gardai, Customs Officials and the Navy but we need a more structured approach in order to effectively tackle this growing social problem."
When questioned further on the most likely manner for the importation of illegal drugs into Ireland Jim Higgins outlined that small airports are particularly susceptible to illegal drugs shipments.
"The majority of our small airports rarely see a Customs officer, due to under-resourcing. Shipments of illegal drugs can easily penetrate our vastly under patrolled coastline. The North West coastline is guarded by just one patrol boat, a solitary sniffer dog and our ports share a single X-ray container scanner. When it comes to the detecting drug smugglers our customs officials are placed in an impossible position."
The National Drugs Strategy aims to have 2 patrol boats and 2 scanner machines in operation nationally by the end of the year - "I will welcome the forthcoming resources, should they survive the budget, however 2 national patrol boats over 3,500 miles of coastline is but a drop in the ocean."
Security at small airports operates on a self-declaration basis, small airfields do not have port of entry status - this means that they do not have permanent immigration and customs checks. For example the number of customs checks to date this year totalled - Weston 18, Sligo 60, and Donegal 60.
If a flight originating from outside of Ireland, or carrying a foreign passenger, intends to use a small airfield to enter Ireland, the crew is supposed to notify the authorities so that Garda and Customs can screen the plane's cargo and passengers. "Judging by the prevalence of illegal drug in our society, I believe we can safely assume that the 'honour system' whereby drug dealers are supposed to inform the authorities of their intention to enter Ireland is not working!"
If an undeclared plane is detected, it is the crew that is held responsible; the airport operators or anybody in Ireland who facilitated the flight faces no sanction. "We need to look into the benefits of port of entry status for small airports throughout."
"I do not doubt that the supervision of the North West coastline is extremely difficult for those tasked with this duty - failure by the government to provide adequate supervisory resources makes their job even harder."
ENDS
Contact:
Jim Higgins +353 87 2855838
Aoife Kearney +32 22837843
FEBRUARY 2010
Jim Higgins MEP calls for full Oireachtas inquiry into anomalies in Lost at Sea Scheme
Jim Higgins MEP has called for a full and thorough investigation to be launched by the Oireachtas, following the publication of the Ombudsman's Special Report into the Lost at Sea Scheme last December.
It will be recalled that it was Mr Higgins, when he was a member of the Oireachtas that brought the complaints about the management of the scheme the attention of the ombudsman on behalf of the Byrne family from Bruckless Co. Donegal.
The issue is due to be raised in the Dail today the 4th February by TDs who are perplexed as to why the Government has not yet authorised a proper investigation into the workings of the scheme, based upon the findings of Ombudsman's Emily O'Reilly's report.
Speaking from the European Parliament in Brussels, Mr. Higgins said that the fact the there is no in depth investigation by a special Oireachtas committee is without precedent. "There needs to be a full transparent investigation into what went on. A refusal by the Government to adopt this approach completely undermines the office of the ombudsman." said Mr. Higgins.
"What I cannot understand is the fact that the findings of the Ombudsman are simply being brushed aside by the Government. If we believe that the Ombudsman is impartial and the independent guardian of the people's interests, then why is the Government attempting to shirk around the issue of an investigation?" added MEP Jim Higgins
Since the creation of the Ombudsman's Office in 1985, this is only the second time that a report has been sent to the Houses of the Oireachtas, because of inaction by a Government Department, in light of recommendations by the Ombudsman. The damning report issued by the Ombudsman last December investigated the procedures followed by the Department of the Marine, Communications and Natural Resources when administering the Lost as Sea Scheme.
Ends
Contact Sean de Burca on 0032 228 47843
Jim Higgins 00353 87 2855838
Date: 04/02/10
Jim Higgins MEP Welcomes Move to Cut Costs for Medicine
Jim Higgins today welcomed moves by health minister Mary Harney to reduce the cost of certain drugs and medicines by around 40% from today.
Speaking from his Ireland North-West Constituency this morning, Mr. Higgins said that the he had written to the minister for health last November to seek a reduction on the price of drugs from manufacturers. "It is unfair that for so long the most vulnerable people in our society have had to pay well over the odds for their prescriptions - the government should have dug their heels in long before today to stop this rip-off. We know that the average cost of prescriptions here is much higher than the EU average, and this is costing the HSE millions of euro"
In the past number of months Jim Higgins has met with various stakeholders in order to try to apply pressure come to a situation where prices for the ordinary patient prescription are reduced to more affordable levels.
"We need also to continue the campaign to have more generic drugs in the market in order to ensure that there is competition and choice for consumers." said Mr Higgins.
I am asking to the minister to take into account the situation in which many local pharmacies find themselves today where medicines bought before today at the higher price will now only be reimbursed at the new wholesale price" Mr Higgins added. It is understood that pharmacists were only made aware of the final list and new lower prices two weeks ago, when they would usually order stocks to last them for the 6 to 8 weeks to come.
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Contact
Sean de Burca on 0032 228 47843 or 0032 489 536729 (mobile)
Date: 01/02/10
January 2010
Higgins highlights road safety at hearing with Commissioner designate
Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West today questioned the Commissioner designate for transport Mr Siim Kallis. Higgins focused on the pertinent Irish issue of road safety.
Jim Higgins voiced his concern over the failure of the Road Safety Action Plan 2003 - 2010 to reach its target of a 50% reduction in road fatalities by 2010. "The most recent report on the programs effectiveness highlighted that 2008 saw 39,000 road deaths across the EU - this is a far cry from the programs 25,000 target.
Jim Higgins pushed Kallas to outline what measures he intended to implement in order ensure that the forth coming European Road Safety Programme 2011 - 2020 surpasses the failed aspirations of the former. Higgins particularly emphasised the increasingly serious issue of drug driving. Higgins was deeply concerned by the lack of regulation or reliable detection facilities[1] in this area.
Speaking after the hearing Higgins welcomed the upcoming DRUID report - the single largest EU effort to assess the effect of drugs (both legal and illegal) on driver performance. "This is an area which is due reform and I eagerly await the Commissioners response to the numerous recommendations the report will surely make."
Higgins expressed confidence in Kallas' abilities "throughout the course of the hearing he showed himself highly capable and exhibited many of the hallmarks of his long and distinguished political career in his native Estonia and his experience as a former Commissioner during the previous mandate"
[1] ROSITA an EU - US study found that only one in nine drug testing devices were found to be reliable.
Contact:
Jim Higgins +353 87 2855838
Aoife Kearney +32 2 2837843
NOVEMBER 2009
No "Vision for Change" on Mental Health Awareness! -Jim Higgins MEP.
Fine Gael North West MEP Jim Higgins has called on the government to increase awareness of mental health illnesses and support for our mental health facilities and their staff. Speaking from Brussels he emphasised the need for a government strategy to combat the stigma often attached to mental health issues. "This can only be done by information, we need a national information campaign so that people with mental health issues are understood and feel free to discuss their illness, without judgment."
Mental illnesses are often ignored in our society - this hinders effective treatment, support and recovery of persons with such illnesses. People are not sufficiently informed when it comes to mental health diseases or their prevalence in society - the World Federation for Mental Health's recent report indicates that one in four people are affected by mental illness - in Ireland that amounts to over 1 million people.
"It is crucial that such people do not suffer in silence and that sufficient treatment is accessible."
"The Government need to provide adequate funding for mental health services, last year this sector endured a substantial cut of €8.5 million, with further budget cuts looming health professionals are struggling to cope with increased workloads and reduced staffing - these people must be supported."
The government's Vision for Change initiative aims to modernise mental health services in Ireland and achieve an adequate staffing level by 2016 - Higgins respectfully submitted that "this initiative is not nearly ambitious enough."
Mr Higgins stressed that "the government must invest in a transparent manner. The lack of transparency in spending in this area is particularly acute. Of the €51.2million provided to the HSE for the initiatives implementation, approximately €25.6 million actually reached the mental health services.
Concerned and disappointed by the lack of transparency Higgins was adamant that "the Government's failure to clearly outline it's expenditure on mental health services and to ring fence such funding so that it is used solely for its intended purpose, has allowed 3 years to pass without any substantial advancements in this area."
Disgusted by the lack of progress in the area Higgins flatly stated that "the 1 million people affected by mental health illnesses, in Ireland, want reform and advancement not pacifications and broken promises."
Contact:
Jim Higgins +353 87 2855838
Aoife Kearney +32 2 2837843
Higgins welcomes decision to re-appoint Gardai to Ireland West Airport
Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has welcomed the decision by the Garda Commissioner to replace the two retired members of the force who carried out immigration duties at Ireland West Airport. In his letter to Mr Higgins, the Chief Superintendent Personal Assistant to the Garda Commissioner states “in light of the retirement of two members of the Immigration Unit at Ireland West Airport on the 20th April and 8th May 2009, the Divisional Officer, in consultation with Detective Chief Superintendent Garda National Immigration Bureau and Senior Management at Ireland West Airport, conducted an extensive examination of resource deployment. The outcome of this process has led the Divisional Officer to advertise two new positions at the Immigration Unit with interviews for same scheduled for mid-November 2009.”
“The successful candidates will have a wider immigration remit and will be tasked to investigate immigration matters both within the Airport and Division when operational needs require.”
“On filling the vacancies the operational strength of the Immigration Unit at Ireland West Airport will be maintained at one Sergeant and seven Gardai.”
END
Contact:
Jim Higgins +353 87 2855838
Aoife Kearney +32 2 2837843
False Food Labeling - Can you trust your dish?
Speaking in Strasbourg yesterday evening Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West outlined to European Commissioner Vassiliou the latent dangers behind many food products claiming health benefits.
Jim Higgins also aired his disappointment at the delayed implementation of the Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods which will not meet its implementation deadline of December 2010. Commissioner Vassilliou confirmed that the European food Safety Authority (EFSA)[1] had attributed the delay to the over whelming number of claims to be examined, the EFSA have to date received some 44,000 nutrition claims for analysis - when only a few hundred had been anticipated.
Jim Higgins called on the Irish government to adopt temporary measures to fill the current lacuna in food labelling in Ireland and to protect Irish consumers from being lured to purchase unhealthy and harmful products in what he described as "shameful and fraudulent business practices. At present there seems to be no repercussions for those deliberately misleading the consumer, this is simply not acceptable."
When implemented the parliamentary regulation will lay down harmonised rules on nutritional claims - which is of course a welcome change - however I disagree with the "completeness of information" approach adopted by the EFSA whereby consumers will be bombarded with information on continually decreasing packed sizes and so consumers will be forced to decipher minuscule text.[2]
"At present it appears that food labelling is marketed towards those who hold a PHD in nutrition - the average shopper spends 7 seconds reading the label of any product and so an obvious warning system such as traffic light labelling would be the most appropriate system."
"A lot of scientific jargon/buzz words are thrown around as advertisements claim various health benefits. These health claims are extremely convincing, they aim to, and often succeed, confuse the consumer and often completely mislead the shopper as to the true nature of what they are buying. "By placing excessive emphasis on technical truths the truth can be obscured."
"The majority of Irish people want to make a healthy food choice, but this is becoming increasingly difficult, as the wit of one person is pitted against multinational corporations with teams of scientists all eager to induce purchase."
"Worryingly 61% of Irish people are presently over weight /obese and more than 2,000 premature deaths occur annually due to obesity[3]. I realise that misleading food labelling is not entirely to blame, for these shocking statistics, but false food labelling is a large contributor to this very serious health problem which affects over half our population - this should be enough to shock any government into action."
[1] To whom the task of assessing health claims had been delegated
[2] EUEnvironmental legislation policy encourages more compact packaging.
[3] As per " Can we Count on our Health" by Michael McHale The Irish Times - Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Contact:
Jim Higgins +353 87 2855838
Aoife Kearney +32 22837843
Looming budget cuts for women's shelters, a national disgrace - Jim Higgins
Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West will speak this week in Strasbourg on the elimination of violence against women and the Parliament's motion for resolution - which aims to tackle this social problem. This Wednesday 25th of November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Jim Higgins is calling on our government to acknowledge the shocking level of violence against women and its detrimental effect on Irish society and to establish a solid action plan, as proposed by the European Parliament in their motion for resolution.
"Violence against women is one of the most frequently violated human rights -yet it appears not to be a Government priority."
Violence against women has many forms, none of which differentiate between age, martial status, class or cultural background. For an estimated 213,000 women in Ireland, home is a place where they experience injury, severe abuse, fear and terror - "these women should not suffer in silence".
Last year Women's aid[1] annual statistics showed that 20,326 calls were made to their helpline but only 10,140 calls could be answered, due to budgetary and staffing constraints. While mainstream domestic violence services experienced a 21% surge in demand for victim services, government funding was reduced by 12% with further cuts looming in the upcoming budget.
"Cutting money where it is most needed - now that's vintage Fianna Fail." Jim Higgins stated with disappointment.
Last year more than 1,700 women fleeing violent spouses or partners were turned away from refuges due to lack of space - "one must wonder what kind of message we send to those women, who are left with no support and nowhere to turn for help".
Ahead of the upcoming December budget Jim Higgins urges the Government not to punish the victims of such crimes by excluding them from funding.
"Violence against women has intensified since the economic recession, now is the time for investment in women's refuges and shelters not cutbacks."
[1] A National Voluntary Organisation which provides support and information to women and their children who are being physically, emotionally, financially or sexually abused in their own homes.
Contact:
Jim Higgins +353 87 2855838
Aoife Kearney +32 22837843
POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM EU PETITIONS COMMITTEE TO IRISH EU TRAGEDIES
Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West speaking in the aftermath of the Petitions Committee meeting on Road Safety and local roads in Ireland said he was very happy with what appeared to be a fair outcome to the pleading made before the committee by the Farren, Gallagher and Keane families regarding the tragic loss of their daughters in three Irish road traffic accidents arising from road conditions.
Speaking at the Committee meeting yesterday Jim Higgins proposed that the cases of the Farren, Gallagher and Keane families be referred to the Transport Committee, of which he is a full member - There he hopes to prepare a report on local road conditions and to pressurise the Irish government to introduce road safety audits for local roads.
"At present no independent body inspects local roads - this is simply unacceptable. The Irish government have signed up to the EU Directive on Road Infrastructure Safety Management yet they are unwilling to apply the same standards to their local roads. This selective approach to road safety is farcical and will not protect Irish drivers. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all public roads are safe, this includes rural and local roads."
The Petitions Committee will draft an opinion which they will send to the Oireachtas Transport Committee recommending that the Farren, Gallagher and Keane families be invited to state their cases before the Oireacthas Transport Committee. It is likely that the opinion will outline the general consensus as expressed by the families in their submissions to the petitions committee and supported unanimously by MEPs from several member states.
Jim Higgins paid tribute to the Farren, Gallagher and Keane families who have shown incredible strength and courage in their pursuit for justice. "They are not out for revenge or compensation they just want answers from those responsible and change in the condition of local roads so that no other family has to go through the pain which they have so stoically endured."
"We are not asking for the government to turn our local roads into motorways, we merely want safe roads with adequate signage, in this day and age I really do not think that is too much to expect."
Ends
Contact: Aoife Kearney +32 228 37843
Date: 05/11/09
Local Lethal Roads Cost Lives - Families to Petition EU
Speaking in light of the upcoming Irish road safety petitions to the European Parliament Jim Higgins, Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West, called on the Government to take responsibility for the conditions of our roads particularly at local level and to transpose the EU Directive on Road Infrastructure Safety Management ahead of its deadline.
"Urgent action is needed to prevent further needless loss of life. It's about time our government stopped dragging its heels and adopted a proactive approach to road safety."
"This directive needs to be implemented and the government needs to set technical standards for the inspection of all public roads and the amending of safety defects."
"Failing this, I have submitted an amendment to the Road Safety Authority (Amendment) Act 2009 which will ensure that the RSA can inspect road works carried out by local authorities, at present local roads do not undergo independent inspections - this amendment is badly needed and I will do everything in my power to push it through," Jim Higgins fervently added.
"I have worked closely with the Farren, Gallagher and Keane families - whose petitions are due to be heard in the Parliament next Wednesday the 4th of November '09. All three families tragically lost a daughter, primarily due to the failure of their local authorities to provide adequate warning signs for oncoming road hazards and speed restrictions as required by the National Roads Authority."
"These girls were young with their whole lives ahead of them - they were neither drunk, speeding nor had they taken any illegal substances. They were not given the opportunity to react to what lay ahead and were robbed of their futures.
Their deaths could have been avoided merely by their local authorities fulfilling their mandatory duty under NRA guidelines."
The Farren and Gallagher cases involved the failure of the Donegal and Mayo County Councils to place adequate signage on their public highways to warn of road works which lay ahead.
In the Gallagher case dense bitumen macadam (DBM) was in place without surface dressing. Without such surface dressing DBM becomes extremely slippery, the NRA guidelines clearly state that a DBM surface ought to be subject to a 50km/h speed limit. The road Aisling (22 years) was travelling on had a speed limit of 100km/h there were no warning signs in place. Sinead Farren McDaid (22 years) experienced a similar fate when she suddenly found herself travelling at an inappropriate speed on loose chippings. Both accidents were fatal.
The Keane case involved the failure of Kerry County Council to provide Stop/Yield signs at the Ballyduff crossroads. Eileen (18 years) and her boyfriend Trevor (23 years) were not forewarned of the dangerous junction that lay ahead. They followed the course of the road, unaware of the unmarked crossroads, which they drove through and where they were involved in their fatal collision. They died instantly.
"How many lives need to be lost before the government puts pressure on local authorities to meet their responsibilities and duties to the public? Road traffic accidents are a major public health problem. So far 2009 has seen 198 people killed on both national and local roads. In spite of this no action plan has been put in place to inspect all public roads for safety defects."
The Irish people deserve better, they deserve safe roads.
Ends
Contact: Aoife Kearney +32 228 37843
Date: 02/11/09
OCTOBER 2009
Higgins welcomes the release of Camp Ashraf Detainees
Jim Higgins, Fine Gael Member of the European Parliament for Ireland North West today welcomed the Iraqi Government’s decision to release 36 members of an Iranian dissident group. Detained since the 28th of July when security personnel used force to take control of their camp, killing 11 and wounding dozens more.
Mr Higgins, has worked tirelessly with a number of groups campaigning for the release of the detainees, speaking from his Constituency Office in Co. Mayo, he said "After 72 days of hunger strike, the detainees were in extremely poor health. I am relieved that the decision has been taken to free them, and that the voice of reason has been heard. "
Despite an Iraqi court, ordering their release due to a lack of credible evidence on two occasions they continued to be held in detention for a total of some two and a half months.
A long term solution will have to be found for the people detained. In the meantime, Mr Higgins hopes that the fundamental rights of the camp’s occupants is respected, including the right not to be forcibly returned to their home country so long as there is a risk of torture.
"All detainees in Iraq should be allowed access to the proper judicial procedures and, if there is evidence they may have committed a crime, they should be given a fair trial. We must always work towards ensuring that domestic and International law is upheld," Mr. Higgins added.
Mr Higgins praised the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq who are to continue to monitor the situation in Camp Ashraf.
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More details from Sean de Burca on 0032 228 47843
Date: 14/10/09
World Arthritis Day - Adults and Children with Arthritis deserve better
Newly Elected Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Interest Group on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP speaking in the European Parliament emphasised the importance of Arthritis awareness. This new group was launched yesterday in the European Parliament to raise awareness of people who suffer from these illnesses.
"We must ensure that people living with Arthritis are aware of the support available to them and of their power as a lobby to force national governments and policy makers to improve standards of care and increase awareness among health professionals."
Jim Higgins explained his eagerness to host the "Working Wonders" exhibition which he launched yesterday evening in the European Parliament- "Working towards an inclusive workforce benefits our economy, the individuals involved and society as a whole - now more than ever we cannot afford to lose trained skilled employees."
"There's a common misconception that Arthritis only occurs in the elderly however 60% of people living with Arthritis are under 65 years of age, which translates to 428,400 people in Ireland."
Sickness absenteeism caused by musculoskeletal disorders is a persistent and costly occupational health challenge. Musculoskeletal disorders cause 50% of absences from work in Ireland and are the single largest cause of early retirement - costing the Irish economy €750 million annually, yet early diagnosis and intervention could keep more Irish workers in the workplace.
"Ireland's aging workforce needs a government who will act to improve access to appropriate treatment and therapies thus yielding a direct benefit to the Irish workforce, its productivity and competitiveness."
Ireland currently has the lowest rate of Rheumatologists per head of population in the EU with only one Consultant Rheumatologist per 200,000 people in the population, not one per 80,000 as is recommended. "This is unacceptable" according toJim Higgins.
Speaking in light of Arthritis Ireland's "Kids with Arthritis deserve better" campaign, Jim Higgins said he was "appalled but not unduly surprised by the failure of the government to provide a second Pediatric Rheumatologist to the 1,000 children living with arthritis in Ireland."
"The government's failure to reduce the 13 month waiting list for children in chronic pain is disgraceful as well as economically shortsighted given the long term health and financial implications attached to delayed treatment - muscle deformation, delayed growth and so forth."
The critical understaffing of Rheumatologists has resulted in an average waiting time of 18 months for adult rheumatology services – stretching to 4 years depending on your location.
Following the severe curtailment of the West coast's only dedicated arthritis treatment unit in May of this year - the shortage of Rheumatologists is particularly acutely felt in the West. "This was the act of an Irish government clearly not concerned with the needs of its people."
The combined result is that the considerable medical advancements in this area – have been negated by insufficient access to treatment and therefore have not benefited the Irish people as should have occurred.
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For further information please contact
Aoife Kearney 0032 228 37843
Date: 14/10/09
Suicide Should Be The Centre of Mental Health Week - Higgins
In recognition of the International Mental Heath Week this week, Jim Higgins MEP for the North-West has today called for a rapid response from the government to take measures to prevent the possible increase in deaths due to suicide as unemployment levels hit 12.8%.
Statistics have shown that unemployment and the financial difficulties which follow increase the risk of men taking their own lives two to threefold. Unemployed women are 50% more likely to take their own lives as their working counterparts. Furthermore, European studies have shown that up to 60% of suicides are caused by depression, a treatable mental illness.
"In these times of economic hardship, families are under huge strain and pressure to meet their everyday bills and put food on the table, the need to increase funding to support our mental health services is more acute than ever," Jim stressed. "Despite the decline in numbers last year, our levels of suicides are shocking compared to those of other EU member states."
"The European Union and the Irish government have committed to reducing the numbers of European road deaths to 25,000 by 2010; but no such target has been set for suicide. Last year, the number of victims of suicide fell to 424, however, victims of road traffic accidents numbered 276. It is vital that we take the same attitude to preventing deaths by suicide as we do deaths on the roads. We are still being too complacent to this tragic cause of death and it is now, more than ever, that we need a proactive, effective approach to support the 12.8% of unemployed Irish people today that may be in danger of suffering from mental health issues."
Jim points out, "The European Union and the Irish government have outlined extensive strategies in the prevention of suicide, but lack of funding is preventing these strategies from achieving their full potential. The 12.5% cut in funding earlier this year by the HSE has affected the efficiency and potential reach of organisations that perform vital services in providing help to those who seek it. It is time for the government to show that they are committed to fighting this tragic cause of death, which affects members of every age group and every level of society."
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More details from Aoife Kearney on 0032 228 37843
Date 08/10/09
AUGUST 2009
Higher Level Education must remain available to all - Higgins
Fine Gael North West MEP Jim Higgins today (Friday) voiced his concern over Minister O'Keefe's warning that third level fees may be introduced for those starting in September.
“Barriers to higher level education must be abolished not created. I am deeply concerned that the re-introduction of third level fees will result in the restriction of higher education to only those who feel they can afford to pay fees.
“Even without fees, third level education has always been costly. Due to the current economic circumstances, many students who had planned to work part time in order to support their studies may no longer be able to do so. This places great financial strain on students and families. This is a time when the government needs to support its students and their families instead of burdening them with crippling debt.
“Parents are being hit with wage cuts, and the reintroduction of college fees may be the last straw for some.
“Minister O'Keefe has ruled nothing out and the re-introduction of fees seems almost certain. Both up-front fees and the introduction of a loan scheme have been mentioned. Neither option is palatable.
“Such fees would force students and their families to pay for the Government's over reliance on the property sector and utter lack of foresight, thus covering a Government shortfall and not actually benefiting third level education.
“Since the abolition of third level fees in 1996 we have seen an increase of 50,000 in the number of students proceeding to higher level education. This is an incredible achievement. The re-introduction of fees would be a regressive step for Ireland.
“The introduction of third level fees is simply unacceptable, especially when other viable options exist. The Fine Gael Graduate PRSI scheme would abolish University registration fees and ensure that funds raised by third level students would benefit those students. It's about time the Government took a long term approach and considered the implications of the re-introduction of fees on the future Irish workforce.”
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Contact:
Jim Higgins +353 87 2855838
Aoife Kearney +32 22837843
Date: 21/08/09
Gardai need extra resources not FF Govt. incompetence - Higgins
Fine Gael MEP for the North-West, Jim Higgins, said today that it is clear that the Fianna Fáil Government is clueless when it comes to tackling knife crime and should be spending precious taxpayers’ cash on Gardai resources instead of meek PR campaigns.
Jim Higgins added that Fianna Fáil’s incompetence is highlighted by the focus that they are putting on the NAMA bank bail-out when little focus is put on using taxpayer's money to tackle drug and knife crime in rural areas:
“The recent spate of knife attacks in the North West region must not be allowed to continue.
"Many of my constituents, particularly in Mayo, no longer feel safe in their towns and with good cause."
“The Fianna Fáil Government’s incompetence is highlighted by their eagerness to offer billions to Ireland's banks while Gardai, especially in rural areas, are hugely under resourced and out numbered by the criminal element.
“There are no easy answers to Ireland's drugs and crime problems. In a time of economic crisis our Gardai must be supported and afforded the necessary funding and resources. Using Mayo as an example, there are just six 24 hour stations in the county. This simply is not sufficient to cope with the recent level of criminal activity.
“Alongside this, Fianna Fáil’s answer to the knife-crime epidemic is based around a meek PR campaign. The promise to build a profile on social networking websites like Bebo, Facebook and Twitter, to deliver the campaign message to his target audience, has fallen flat and the target audience, young men, have completely ignored the promotion.”
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Contact Aoife on 0032 228 37843
Date: 18/08/09
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